Tenterfield Care Kick-Starting Careers for Local Students

In September, Tenterfield Care in northern New South Wales, celebrated a group of Year 12 students from Tenterfield High School as they completed their School Based Traineeship and Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care).

Staff and residents at Tenterfield Care loved welcoming the students each Wednesday as they gained hands-on training, using the aged care communities as living classrooms.

According to Sunita Sharma, Residential Service Manager at Tenterfield Care, the care, compassion and respect they showed made a significant impact on residents.

“The students benefitted from supervised learning experiences caring for residents while getting a head start on their future career. And residents thoroughly enjoyed their youthful energy and dedicated care,” Ms Sharma said.

Career Adviser at Tenterfield High School, Helen Clothier, said the opportunity to study and work within the region is critical to building sustainable career pathways for young locals.

“The School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program provides students with positive local work experiences,” said Ms Clothier.

“They get paid while learning in a very supportive environment, and they graduate with a qualification they can use for a career or further studies straight away.

“I am extremely proud of the students. They’ve shown commitment to their studies and have embraced the traineeship with maturity. They’ve been great ambassadors for the school.” 

Ms Sharma said the enthusiasm the students have for the learning experience and the deep respect they show residents has been noticed by everyone.

“They should be very proud of their efforts. They’ve been respectful, responsible and will be leaving with an appreciation of how rewarding a career in aged care can be,” she said.

Student, Mia, plans to continue her studies next year to become a Registered Nurse and hopes to return to Tenterfield Care on placements, or once qualified.

“I was so nervous when I started but I’ve really enjoyed the course and building relationships with staff and residents at Tenterfield Care. This opportunity has made me realise that I love caring for people!” she said.

Student, Kristie, also plans to embark on a Bachelor of Nursing.

“One of the most memorable moments for me was the first time we were trusted to work on our own. I realised how capable I am. I’m really looking forward to becoming a Registered Nurse,” she said.

For student, Hayley, this certificate has prompted her to gain a position as a Carer at Tenterfield Care while she considers her future study options.

“I’ve learned so much about caring for people. Plus, having a Certificate III in Individual Support means I’ll always be able to have a career in aged care,” she said.

Tenterfield Care is proudly part of the Apollo Care Alliance – an innovative national provider with a unique vision to strengthen the goodwill and sense of belonging already created in local, not-for-profit aged care communities.

Apollo Care CEO, Stephen Becsi OAM, said that school-based traineeships are one of several important strategies used to grow the permanent workforce at its communities.

“Workforce is the biggest challenge facing regional aged care providers,” said Mr Becsi.

“Skills shortages lead to a greater reliance on agency staff, raising the cost to deliver care and impacting organisational culture.

“Our multipronged workforce approach combines technology, psychology and staff engagement.

“Metrics show that this is positively changing the wellbeing of our teams, which in turn is enhancing the wellbeing of residents.

“The result is that Apollo Care is reducing agency costs, helping to make our alliance of aged care communities more sustainable.”

Click here to find out more about Apollo Care